Where Can You Seek Compensation When Police Break Down Your Door for a "Welfare Check"?

Comprehensive Improvement Plan for Loss Compensation System
to Be Implemented Starting August 10

#. Mr. A recently experienced a distressing incident. After finishing a company dinner and returning home early in the morning, he found his front door destroyed. Concerned because they could not reach Mr. A late at night, his parents called 112, and the police officers who were dispatched forcibly opened the front door. The officers, unable to make contact by phone, left a business card at the scene and departed. Now, Mr. A urgently needed to repair his door, but was left confused about where and how to seek compensation.

The National Police Agency will implement a comprehensive improvement plan for the loss compensation system starting from the 10th. National Police Agency

The system is being improved to ensure prompt compensation when citizens suffer losses as a result of lawful police work.

The National Police Agency announced on the 9th that it would implement a comprehensive improvement plan for the loss compensation system. Police loss compensation refers to a system in which (1) if a loss is caused to an innocent citizen (2) due to a police officer’s lawful performance of duty, (3) the state provides monetary compensation for the loss. This system has been in effect since 2014, based on Article 11-2 of the Act on the Performance of Police Duties.

Previously, it was difficult for individuals to file compensation claims in situations where, as in Mr. A’s case, the affected party was absent or the urgency of the scene made it challenging to provide information about the system. The new comprehensive plan introduces a palm-sized guidebook and informational text messages (SMS) so individuals can more easily claim compensation, and establishes a damage assessment advisory panel. In particular, the review process for small claims has been simplified to enhance public convenience.

This new system will go into effect starting August 10, 2026. The police expect that these improvements will raise public awareness of the loss compensation system and enable more proactive payments to citizens who have suffered losses.

An official from the National Police Agency stated, "We will continue to identify and implement system improvements to protect the rights and interests of citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.